James Chosy (’89) Named for U. Minn. Alumni Service Award

JUNE 26, 2012—The University of Minnesota Board of Regents, with recommendation of the University Alumni Association, the all-University Honors Committee, and University President Eric Kaler, has selected James L. Chosy (’89) to receive the 2012 Alumni Service Award. The award recognizes individuals whose volunteer activities have imparted major benefits to a University or alumni group.

Chosy was nominated by Law School Dean David Wippman and the Office of Advancement for his years of exceptional service to the Law School. "Few have displayed the highly valuable combination of genuine caring, strategic thinking, and dedicated work effort on behalf of the institution that Jim has contributed on a regular basis," Wippman said in his nomination letter. Director of Alumni Relations & Annual Giving Dinah Zebot added that Chosy is one of the Law School's "strongest and most vocal ambassadors."

In September 2012 Chosy will begin his term as chair of the Law School's Board of Advisors, a leadership group he has served with since 2006 (when it was known as the Board of Visitors). The same year he initiated a corporate externship program that is still in place at Piper Jaffray Companies, where he is managing director, general counsel, and secretary.

In 2007 when the Law School was enhancing its business law curriculum, Chosy served on a task force to develop strategies and guidelines. He has chaired the Law School's Development Committee for fiscal years 2011 and 2012, is a member of the GENERATIONS campaign cabinet, and with wife Julie Chosy (’90), co-chaired the 2009-10 Partners in Excellence Annual Fund.

Chosy has provided legal counsel in corporate and securities law, mergers and acquisitions, and other governance areas with Piper Jaffray Companies since 2001. Previously, beginning in 1995, he was assistant secretary, secretary, associate general counsel, and vice president at First Bank System (now U.S. Bancorp). He also was a corporate attorney with Deluxe Corp. and practiced in the corporate finance department at Dorsey & Whitney.

In his letter of support, Lee Mitau (’72), executive vice president and general counsel at U.S. Bancorp, described his long professional relationship with Chosy, beginning the year Chosy graduated from the Law School and joined Dorsey & Whitney. "He brings the same focus and energy that I have observed for all these years" to his volunteer commitment and support of the Law School, Mitau said.

Chosy will receive the Alumni Service Award at the University of Minnesota Alumni Association awards ceremony in October. He joins the celebrated list of Law School alumni previously honored with the award, most recently Bruce Mooty (’80) in 2010, Juanita Luis (’77) in 2008, and Professor Robert A. Stein (’61) in 2007.